Meet The Doctors
Our Eye Doctors
Eye Associate’s first office was opened in 1986 by our founder, Dr. Vincent Pennipede. We now have eight offices with thirteen optometrists serving the Johnson County community. Our growth is a testament to the excellent care we extend to our patients.
First and foremost, we listen to your concerns and take the time to clearly explain our findings and answer your questions. Second, since our staff is so well-trained and efficient, your optometrist is able to spend more time talking to you about your eye care needs.
Caring and concerned doctors who listen and take the time to do things right. That’s what you’ll find at our private offices.
Meet Our Team Of Eye Care Professionals
Optometry
Dr. Vincent Pennipede
Born in Long Island, New York, Dr. Pennipede grew up in New Jersey and received an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University in 1978. He then obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1982, graduating with honors. He also received several awards, including nomination to Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.
Dr. Mark Siefkes
Dr. Siefkes is from Great Bend, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1994. Dr. Siefkes earned his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1998 from the University of Missouri School of Optometry in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Christina Bartimus
Raised in Harrisonville, Missouri, Dr. Bartimus attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1998. Four years later, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago with her Doctorate of Optometry.
Dr. Andrea Buchbaum
Originally from Rose Hill, Kansas, Dr. Buchbaum earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 2003. She then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, earning her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2008.
Dr. Whitney Pollock
Originally from Yates Center, Kansas, Dr. Whitney Pollock received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Kansas State University. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee in 2013 graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Dr. Lisa Muiller
Originally from Ellinwood, Kansas, Dr. Lisa Muiller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Washburn University, with minors in Leadership, Natural Sciences, and Psychology. She then obtained her Doctorate at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Dr. Jason Green
Originally from Norton, Kansas, Dr. Jason Green received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Fort Hays State University. In 2014, he graduated magna cum Laude from the University of Houston College of Optometry with a Doctorate of Optometry degree.
Dr. Cassie Baker
Dr. Baker moved to the Kansas City metro area at a young age from western Kansas and calls home Olathe, Kansas. She completed her B.A. in Chemistry from UMKC in 2009 and then went on to graduate summa cum laude from Northeastern Oklahoma State University College of Optometry in 2014.
Dr. Carrie Turley
Originally from Kentucky, Dr. Turley attended Western Kentucky University where she majored in biology. In 2008, she graduated with honors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Optometry School.
Dr. Ty Diggs
Dr. Diggs is from Olathe, KS. He graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology emphasized in Physiology. Dr. Diggs received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry in 2021.
Dr. Kelsey Frederick
Dr. Frederick, a Blue Springs, MO native, earned her Doctorate of Optometry in 2014. With nine years in a Chicago pediatric practice, she specializes in pediatrics, myopia control, and binocular vision. Passionate about patient relationships, she enjoys caring for families year after year.
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Dr. Luke Saville
Originally from Manhattan, Kansas, Dr. Saville graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree, double majoring in Life Sciences and Gerontology. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Optometry from the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University.
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Dr. George Hopkins
George A Hopkins, a Garden City native, graduated from the University of Houston in 1984 with a Doctorate of Optometry. He is a member of the Kansas Optometric Association as well as the American Optometric Association.
Ophthalmology
Dante Pennipede, MD
Joining The Team Summer 2026.
Dante Pennipede, MD, will be the staff ophthalmologist of Eye Associates. Dr. Pennipede will specialize in comprehensive eye care, including cataract surgery, external eye disease, and management of glaucoma.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he received the Outstanding Medical Student award from the Department of Ophthalmology.
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